CLEVELAND — KeyBank has become the first founding partner of Cleveland’s upcoming WNBA franchise, the team announced on Tuesday.
The partnership includes sponsorship of the team’s membership platform and an annual collaboration on a community impact program.
Cleveland WNBA President of Business Operations Allison Howard said fan interest has continued to grow ahead of the team’s inaugural season in 2028 at Rocket Arena.
“Over 9,000 people have already told us that they want to be a part of the team in some form when we start playing here at Rocket Arena in 2028,” Howard said. “The other thing I want to make sure that people know is how connected and unified KeyBank and W Cleveland are to this hometown pride, as well as opening doors and opportunities specifically with financial empowerment to women and the greater community.”
As part of the announcement, KeyBank and the Cleveland WNBA franchise are offering fans a chance to win two tickets to a game during the team’s inaugural 2028 season. Entries can be submitted at WNBACleveland.com. The sweepstakes are free to enter and will close on Monday, Aug. 10, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Fourteen winners will be picked.
“We know that the return of the WNBA is really important to the community,” KeyBank Chief Brand Officer Patty Jurca said. “We wanted to be there from the beginning and write that story together.”
Starting with the franchise’s first season in 2028, KeyBank plans to increase its visibility through game-day activations designed to enhance the fan experience at Cleveland WNBA home games at Rocket Arena. Among the featured elements of the partnership is sponsorship of the High-Five Tunnel, giving selected fans an up-close look at the team and the court during pregame warmups. KeyBank will also sponsor one themed game night each season.
Cleveland’s WNBA team is expected to unveil its team name and brand identity later this summer.